Rock icon Tom Petty passed away at age 66 after going into full cardiac arrest. Petty was found unconscious in his home on October 2nd, but his death remained unconfirmed until October 3rd. It was reported that he was clinging to life in the hospital during his final hours.

Tom Petty was known for his solo career and for his two bands. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, his first band, was his most memorable. They had hits like the very popular “American Girl” and “Breakdown.”

His next band, The Traveling Wilburys, was a supergroup he formed with music legends Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and George Harrison. They sold many albums and won a Grammy. They had two big hits, “Handle with Care” and “End of the Line.”

Tom Petty then went solo in the 1990’s and experienced great success. It helped his career extend to three decades and helped his music reach a new generation. His two biggest hit songs, “Free Fallin’” and “I Won’t Back Down” from his solo career are among some of his most influential songs. Both were co-written and co-produced with his former band member, Jeff Lynne.

Tom Petty has sold over 38,000,000 million albums in the United States and has charted on the Billboard Hot 100 thirty times. He has influenced many artists and brought the genre of heartland rock to the mainstream. Tom Petty will be missed.